CHAPTER XVI AFTER THE ESCAPE
Meanwhile Brian Fitz-Count himself, with Osric by his side and a dozen horsemen, rode to and fro on the road to Oxford, which passed through the forest of Bagley; for to halt in the cold was impossible, and to kindle a fire might attract the attention of foes, as well as of friends. How they bore that weary night may not be told, but they were more accustomed to such exposure than we are in these days.
Again and again did Brian question Osric concerning the interview with Alain, but of course to no further purpose; and they might have remained till daylight had not they taken a shepherd, who was out to look after his sheep, and brought him before the Count, pale and trembling, for it was often death to the rustics to be seized by the armed bands.
"Hast thou seen any travellers this night?"
"I have, my lord, but they were not of this earth."
"What then, fool?"
"They were the ghosts of the slain, five of them, all in white, coming up from the river, where the fight was a month agone."
"And what didst thou do?"
"Hid myself."
"Where were they going?"